Was that sound the crack of the bat...or your pants splitting? Finding healthy food at the ballpark can sometimes seem harder than throwing a perfect game. Use these tips from personal trainer Andrea Metcalf to make the best possible choices, and get her baseball-inspired exercises to burn those extra calories from your hot dog and beer.

"Take me out to the ball game, take me out to the crowds, buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack..."

You can probably justify one bag of peanuts at the ballpark for its healthy fats, but keep in mind it will put almost 1,000 calories on the scoreboard. Instead, try pinch hitting the big-calorie treats with healthier choices at the concession stand.

For instance, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles offers these options with less than 300 calories:

Dodger Pretzel: 160 calories

Curried Chicken Salad Wrap: 290 calories

Strawberry Yogurt Parfait: 222 calories

Roasted Pear and Arugula Salad: 137 calories

Farmers' Market Greek Salad: 185 calories

If you can't quite bring yourself to completely cut out junk food at the stadium, you can still make smart choices. Skip the nachos in favor of foods with protein, like a burger or hot dog. Eliminate one of the buns, and you'll shave 100 calories off the scoreboard. Plus, the protein will help stabilize your blood sugar so you won't continue to crave more snacks.

And don't forget to limit liquid calories in beer and soda. Each ballpark beer is about 110 to 180 calories. Alternate with water to cut calories and save some money.

Published 07/01/2010

As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.